Continuing our weekly review of notable performances there were some fine efforts in Cape Town and Johannesburg to report, though next week all the main action shifts to KZN for the iconic Durban July meeting.
Crimson King (speed score 99) bolted in to win the Pocket Power Stakes (G3) at a sodden Kenilworth whilst Marina (s/s 96 +) outclassed her opposition in the River Jetez Stakes. Both races were staged over 2400m, and were known previously as the Winter Derby and Winter Oaks.
Capitana (s/s 97) got the job done in the Olympic Duel Stakes to justify market support from the Brett Crawford Stable, one of Interbet’s ambassadors. Iris put up a fight, as did pacesetting Phil’s Dancer, but Capitana proved resolute in the stiff 1200m sprint.
Snaith Racing cleaned up in the juvenile races as Danilo Danilovitch (s/s 95) Pomp and Power (s/s 90 in the G3 Langerman) and Maria Querol (s/s 89) came to light in the listed Irridescence Stakes.
Two defeated horses worth marking up for future wagers are Intrepid and Waiting for Summer. The former got blocked on the rail when looming large in Danilo Danilovitch’s race and the grey finished full of energy earning a score of 91 +, which is smart for a baby. Waiting for Summer is another fast- progressing colt who produced a neat come home sectional behind Pomp and Power and should go on to win quality races in time.
Pretty Betty was allowed to commit grand larceny in the Ladies Mile, stealing it from the front in a small field when gifted an uncontested lead. Full credit to jockey Mxothwa for dictating terms so cleverly and to Mike Stewart who turned her out in fine fettle.
After a good recent gallop on soft ground he was convinced she would win and the market plunge on this Master of My Fate filly into favourite conveyed stable confidence. The finishing ratio of 111% (final section compared to overall time) confirms that Mxothwa lulled his rival jocks before getting first run in a dash down the straight.
Putontheredlight (s/s 104) did best up on the Highveld in a race that was a personal triumph for trainer Sean Tarry as he saddled the trifecta. The winner is a solid top division performer adept over 1400m. He was only just pipped by his stable mate Eden Roc in a G2 as a two year-old, and while not quite going on to bigger and better things, has still run triple figure speed numbers often enough to reward connections. This was the Pomodoro geldings fifth victory from 22 starts.